History of products, tech from Natick Labs

Construction on the research facility that became known as Natick Army Labs began 50 years ago in 1962. After World War II, officials wanted a centralized Quartermaster Research and Development center to create modern equipment for its modern military. Since then, many technological breakthroughs here crept into civilian life. Take a look at some of the innovations.

Pictured: Chris Shaffer modeled a lightweight chemical/biological protective ensemble developed at the US Army Labs in 2001.
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The US Army Soldier Systems Center designed, prototyped, and produced military apparel that has become prevalent in modern fashion. The G-1 flight jacket was first worn by pilots in the Korean War.
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Natick Historical Society

Natick has a history of pioneering new ideas. The town was founded by Puritan missionaries in 1651 as a "praying Indian" village for converted Native Americans. The first Indian translation of the Bible was drafted here.

At left, a 1858 drawing titled "John Eliot, The First Missionary Among Indians" that historians deemed romanticized and inaccurate.
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The Boston Globe/File

The first modern baseball was manufactured in 1858 for the Official League Baseball by The Harwood Baseball Factory in Natick.

The center-wound balls with figure-eight-stitched horsehide covers set the standard for baseballs. Later, cowhide was used to cover softballs. This cottage industry included women who stitched balls at home. Wagons delivered piecework and collected the balls for finishing.
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Bill Greene/ Globe Staff

Early prototypes included an experimental sleeping bag stuffed with processed chicken feathers and a flameproof suit. Safety regulations did not exist yet so researchers often tested on themselves.

Pictured: A mannequin was set on fire in order to develop better flash fire protective uniforms at the Natick Soldier Systems Center.
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Bill Greene/ Globe Staff

A flamability test is preformed at the RD & E center at the Natick Soldier Systems Center where self-extinguishing uniform is developed and tested.
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David L. Ryan / Globe Staff

The original version of the bullet proof vest worn by law enforcement officials today was made of glass and nylon. Volunteers would switch between wearing the vest and shooting the person wearing it.

The military has always had a hand in technological progress. Canned food came as a result of Napoleon wanting a way to get food to his troops.

Natick officials claim a role in the development of Spam, M&Ms, freeze-dried coffee, and process cheese spreads.

Pictured: In the Combat Feeding Directorate at the US Army Soldier Systems Center, Jacqueline LeBlanc worked on the development of a blueberry turnover in 2006.
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Suzanne Kreiter/Globe Staff

The precursor to energy bars was developed in 1937 to create a compact food source for emergencies.

It was a mix of chocolate from Hershey, with raw oat flour to prevent it from melting, with a final bit of kerosene to stop soldiers from eating too many. The gasoline ingredient didn't make it into final versions, but even without it, archives noted that the bar "had a tendency on occasion to produce headaches and nausea."
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The Boston Globe

Gore-Tex has strong origins in military cold weather clothing development. The Natick lab and creator W.L. Gore worked to develop a thin film that laminated textile material to protect items from wet and cold environments.
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Mark Wilson/The Boston Globe

Back in 1974, the lab brought in large cockroaches to see what would happen when exposed to large amounts of radiation. The lab dumped the surviving bugs into garbage bags sprayed with pesticide at a local dump. The huge, hissing cockroaches got loose and invaded Natick homes. It took six months for the town to finally get rid of the infestation.

Pictured: A hissing cockroach from Madagascar is held by Mark Berman from Bugman Entoprises.
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The Boston Globe

Indestructible sandwiches were researched and created here. Years were spent figuring out techniques to prevent barbecue sauce from making bread soggy. Today, shoppers can find similar results in Hot Pockets at the grocery store.

Pictured: A flameless MRE—Meal Ready To Eat- is tested at the Natick Labs where U.S. Army personnel developed foods for the troops.
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In the background is a display of mapping and situational awareness software FalconView, which can be seen by the soldier using the goggle-mounted "look down" display.
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Lisa Poole/ Globe Staf

Bullet-proof technology is smaller and more intricate.

This butyl rubber was created with nanotechnology using electrospinning. Researchers are trying to develop butyl rubber for protective clothing for the US Army Soldier Systems Center in Natick.
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